As job growth increases and affordable housing doesn't, there's an even greater need for programs like LifeSteps Transitional Housing program, said program director Brandon Espinoza.

The program currently has six rooms in its red, brick campus building, and there are plans for four more this summer.

Espinoza also hopes for a kitchen and dining room. Then families can eat together, he said, and the children can watch their moms make dinner instead of receiving each meal in a cafeteria.

LifeSteps is a great fit for the transitional program, Espinoza said. Together with Interfaith, Healthcare for the Homeless, and the Casper Housing Authority, it's a one-stop shop.

That's how the city of Casper, its new landlord, wants it to stay.

City council member Guy Padgett said after a recent LifeSteps visioning session, that the campus provides a valuable service to the Casper community and is worth continuing.

One of the city's goals for LifeSteps, aside from helping those with needs, is to become self-sustainable.

Now, the campus is running on a deficit and requires a subsidy from the city. Community Development Director April Getchius said the council wants to see LifeSteps fund itself.

As a result, the council will form a task force of LifeSteps tenants, community members and city staff members to discuss the future of the campus.

"We didn't come up with some silver bullet," Padgett said. "But we recognize it will take a commitment from the city as well as a commitment from the community to make any operation like this sustain itself into the future."

The city will continue to invest in the buildings, updating the facility as it has during the past year, as it considers what the future will hold.

Contact city reporter Christine Robinson at (307) 266-0639 or christine.robinson@trib.com